College mourns passing of Hon. Samuel H. Bell '47

Former U.S. district judge taught prelaw, endowed lectureship at alma mater

WOOSTER, Ohio, Jan. 5, 2011 – The College of Wooster notes with sadness the passing of The Honorable Samuel H. Bell ’47, a retired federal judge for the Northern District of Ohio, who taught prelaw classes at the college for several years. Judge Bell died Dec. 23, 2010, at the age of 84.

In 1999, Judge Bell and his wife, Jennie, endowed the Bell Distinguished Lectureship in Law at the college, which each year brought one of the best minds in the legal profession to campus to engage students, faculty, members of the legal profession, and members of the local community in discussion of a legal issue with broad implications for society.

“What made Judge Bell a great judge also made him a great teacher,” said Henry Kreuzman, associate professor of philosophy and dean for curriculum and academic engagement. “First, he asked good questions and listened carefully to the answers. Second, he had a deep respect for everyone: attorneys, clerks, victims, and defendants. This respect for the humanity in all people carried over into the classroom.”

Private services have already been held and the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Bell Lectureship at The College of Wooster or to Pawsibilities, the Humane Society of Greater Akron.

A full obituary may be found online in the Akron Beacon Journal.